IBM Announces First Notebook PCs with Integrated Wireless Capability

Today at DemoMobile, IBM announced the industry's first Intel-based notebook computers with integrated wireless local area network (LAN) capabilities. In addition, IBM announced Bluetooth PC Card options for its notebook and desktop computers.

"Customers are looking for a way to disconnect from the wall, yet stay connected to their business or Internet," said Rick McGee, vice president, mobile brand marketing, IBM Personal Systems Group. "With the first-of-a-kind integrated wireless ThinkPad or the Bluetooth PC Card, growing businesses get easy access to corporate data without a large, complicated investment in network infrastructure."

The new IBM ThinkPad i Series notebook computers will be the first Intel processor-based systems to offer integrated 802.11b wireless LAN capabilities. They are compatible with IBM's recently announced High Rate Wireless LAN Access Point, linking wireless ThinkPad notebooks to wired networks. Through partnerships with leading companies including Wayport and MobileStar, IBM is delivering remote wireless LAN solutions in airports, hotels and other locations.

David Berndt, director of wireless/mobile technologies at the Yankee Group, stated that, "we believe IBM is extremely well-positioned to serve the evolving world of pervasive and wireless communications. With its services, software and hardware offerings, IBM can enable wireless communications for wireless users, whether they are consumers or enterprises. We anticipate that IBM, with its participation in all of the significant standards bodies, will continue to play a major role in influencing how the wireless world develops."

IBM will also offer the IBM High Rate Wireless LAN Access Point to connect not only the new ThinkPad i Series 1300 models (models 21U and 71U) but any other ThinkPad notebook or NetVista desktop using the new IBM High Rate Wireless LAN PC Card. New ThinkPad i Series 1300 notebook computers will be available early fourth quarter. The new Bluetooth PC Card from IBM will be available in October starting at $189.

These new wireless products are supported by IBM Global Services. IBM Global Services offers a rich set of customer services in the wireless arena, including mobile and wireless consulting, hosting operations, network services, learning services mobile training and security services. As a clear leader in a wide array of "infrastructure" services, IBM Global Services has the ability to design, build, manage and run a customers' mobile e-business infrastructure literally around the world.

Additional IBM Highlights at DemoMobile
Lotus demonstrated software allowing access to e-mail and databases over cell phones. With Lotus Mobile & Wireless products and solutions, mobile workers can now extend unmatched Notes and Domino collaborative capabilities to small, Web-enabled devices, including cell phones, pagers and PDAs.

Lotus' wireless product offerings, such as Mobile Notes, Mobile Services for Domino and EasySync for Mobile Notes, are designed to provide secure connectivity with your Notes Mail, calendar and corporate directory, as well as wireless access to, and synchronization with, the Domino server.

IBM Voice Systems demonstrated IBM ViaVoice for Distributed Voice In/WAP Out, the first solution to allow voice recognition technology on cell phones and WAP-enabled devices. Today, IBM is providing developers with the tools to create speech-enabled mobile solutions. IBM Embedded ViaVoice, Multiplatform Edition, is a Java-standards compliant toolkit that allows companies to turn portable devices into powerful Internet tools. IBM also offers the WebSphere Voice Server, with ViaVoice Technology, which allows delivery of voice applications based on industry standard VoiceXML and helps businesses leverage their investments in Web and call center technologies to deliver e-business solutions.

About IBM
IBM is leading the development of strategic wireless industry standards through a number of special interest groups. Among them, IBM is a founding member of the Bluetooth specification, a member of the Wireless LAN Alliance (WLANA), the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA), WAP Forum, HomeRF, and IrDA. In addition, IBM is an active participant on the IEEE 802.15 working group investigating ways to maintain compatibility among 802.11 WLAN and Bluetooth technology. Further, IBM's global initiatives involve a strategic consortium of hardware, software, services and partnerships, as well as developing a wide range of new products. www.ibm.com

Source: IBM